a few Connecticut college questions

DMelanogaster
Mon, 08 Nov 2010 10:31:39 +0000

I came in here to ask about Conn. College, but first I want to reply to the poster who might be applying to Conn against his/her parents’ advice.

It is impossible to talk about a “payscale” after college. What profession are you going to go into? (you don’t have to know yet; which is the point)

A bachelor’s degree from a large school does not lead to a higher salary than a bachelor’s degree from a small LAC. Which liberal arts college? Which large college? Do you really think that a graduate of e.g. Williams College (a small LAC with a stunning reputation) is in a worse position than a graduate of a huge state school with a mediocre reputation? (not naming names!)

What your parents are saying doesn’t seem to be based upon anything real, sorry to say. (but better for you!) Connecticut College is one of many, many excellent colleges that will lead you to a good career path.

Now, about “having” to follow up your bachelor’s degree from a small LAC with graduate school in order to be employed: whether or not you have to go to graduate school after college depends entirely upon what field you want to go into. If you want to go into a field that requires a graduate degree, then you have to go to graduate school (!), no matter how large or well-known* the school you got your bachelor’s degree from.

(* I have a funny feeling that when your parents are talking about small vs. large they’re really talking about “schools that nobody’s heard of” vs. “famous schools.” Could I be right?)



And now, my own question about Connecticut College! My son is considering it. It has a lot of the qualities he’s looking for: Small LAC (which I agree with!); good students; nice area just a few hours from our home; pretty good possibility of his getting in. So, fine, BUT: when I mention Conn to some of my friends whose kids have recently graduated from various colleges, they say, “Too Preppy.”

So – how “Preppy” is Conn? (to give you an idea here, my son will also be applying to Hampshire, NYU, and Goucher. Maybe Skidmore (a partial list)). He currently is studying in depth the oeuvres of Kurt Cobain and Trent Reznor (not for school, for personal edification). He is not into sports (he might kick a soccer ball occasionally but could not tell you much about how football is played). He has probably never heard of either Abercrombie or Fitch. He is urban, not suburban, but resonates quite well with all humans. So would you say that Conn. is significantly “preppier” than the schools I mention above and therefore a poor fit for a Nine Inch Nails fan from the inner city? Thank you.